“If other people became involved, it’s at his behest. It’s his duty to care for his children, it’s not others’, and in that sense there’s a great onus on him.”

Mr Smid said the father’s actions were a “misguided form of discipline” and accepted that he now realised it was drastic.

The man’s female friend, who put the duct tape on the girls after coming up with the idea, was sentenced in April to two years’ probation. The man’s partnerr, who was present when the girls were bound received 12 months’ probation.

All three adults were charged with two counts of deprivation of liberty and two counts of common assault.

Solicitor Anderson Telford said his client had suffered since the incident, the two girls taken from him and put into the care of the Child Safety Department.

“There has been ongoing contact on a weekly basis,” Mr Telford said.

“He’s been told by the department that on completion of these matters they will move towards (returning the girls to his care).”

The father enrolled himself in a parenting program after he was charged and Mr Telford said he had been “actively participating” in it since.

The incident came to the attention of police when red marks were seen on the girls’ wrists at school.

Police prosecutor Daryn Casson said the girls were left tied up and gagged for at least five minutes.

“He effectively held the children down while the other woman tied them with duct tape and put duct tape across their mouths,” he said.

“The first child was deprived for five minutes prior to them removing the tape.

“The second child ... removed the tape herself and it was reapplied and then removed.”